FLO Hyderabad Partnership Grows More Than Vegetables

HYDERABAD, INDIA – At East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive change. In India, this could be seen in our partnership this year with the Hyderabad chapter of FLO, the women’s division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The resulting vegetable farming initiative culminated in a remarkable crop showcase by women farmers on 8 November 2024.

Launched in May 2024, the FLO Hyderabad Centre of Excellence for Training Women in Vegetable Farming is an ambitious initiative to empower 100 women farmers across 16 villages. Together, FLO Hyderabad and EWS-KT have cultivated more than just crops—we have cultivated confidence, skills, and hope for a sustainable future.

The crop showcase was a celebration of these efforts, as women farmers proudly presented the fruits of their labor after a full season. From vibrant bottle gourds to sweet corn, cauliflower, okra, and more, the event highlighted the outcomes of advanced farming techniques, careful crop selection, and sheer dedication. Attendees, including agripreneur Eatala Kshamita Reddy, FLO Hyderabad initiative mentor Shubhraa Maheshwari, and other FLO leaders, witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of this project.

This joint initiative goes beyond farming, with a goal of creating sustainable livelihoods. By equipping women farmers with technical skills, digital literacy, financial acumen, and go-to-market strategies, we are fostering entrepreneurship and independence. The project also embraces a train-the-trainer model to ensure that these empowered women pass their knowledge on to others, creating a ripple effect of growth and learning in their communities.